No Bag Day: Karnataka Schools Embrace Experiential Learning

Government schools across Hubballi actively participated in 'No Bag Day' on the third Saturday of the month, a key component of the 'Sambhrama Shanivar' initiative. This program encourages students to attend school without textbooks or bags, focusing instead on engaging, experiential learning activities designed to provide practical exposure beyond the confines of the classroom. The initiative is a recommendation under the National Education Policy-2020, aiming to reduce the weight of school bags and foster holistic development.

Activities conducted during 'No Bag Day' vary monthly and are themed around critical topics such as drug abuse prevention, responsible media and internet use, nutrition, and sanitation. Schools organized road safety programs where children demonstrated traffic rules and raised awareness. Junior lecturer FV Manjannavar noted that approximately 80% of government schools observed this day, with a particular emphasis on active participation from students in Classes 1 to 8 across approximately 700 PM Shri and TCW schools.

This innovative approach is intended to make learning more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating through co-curricular engagement. To support these efforts, 10 self-explanatory modules and a guidebook were developed, offering activities at awareness, experience, and observation levels. Students like Priyamani and Chandan Matrabanavar expressed enthusiasm for this activity-based learning, highlighting its positive impact on their educational journey and intellectual growth.